Corona vaccine second
dose delays, effects and FAQ in Pakistan
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Famous
Pakistani actress Bushra Ansari taking jab of Corona vaccine |
Pakistan is under
critical attack of covid 19 third wave. The Corona patients are increasing each
day. Like rest of world Pakistan has started vaccination for its people
from mid February 2021. At first stage, Healthcare workers received jabs of
first dose and then the vaccination started for senior citizen aged 60 plus
from March.
With a large number of
senior citizens coming out for Corona vaccine and due to shortage of supply,
there has been reported delays in covid 19 second dose in Pakistan. Many health
workers are feared of wasting the effect of first dose if they can't get second
dose in time.
Many health workers in
Pakistan have got first dose of vaccine. Many have received sms from 1166 about
their schedule of second dose at the same center where they took first dose but
it’s been very difficult to get second dose in time.
There are delays in getting second dose as
government has started first dose for senior citizens without taking care of
people waiting for second doses. The Centers for second dose have been limited
and mostly are far from many places in the town. The staff on Centers mentioned
on sms send by 1166, clearly refuses to give second dose on visits even when
people are taking jabs of first dose there. The visitors are told to look
for another Centre. The staff on duty explains the shortage of vaccine and
tells the visitors to wait.
I luckily got second
dose of Corona vaccine after driving 1 hour far away from cantt. to Expo Center
Lahore and on visiting three centers near my place.
Here I'll try to tell
the frequently asked questions about Corona vaccine second dose and its side
effect?
Some of FAQ frequently asked
questions about covid 19 second dose of vaccine
Is two doses of
vaccine same?
The two doses of Corona
vaccine AstraZeneca and Sinopharm provided free from government are same. So if
a center is providing first dose then it can also entertain second dose at the
spot.
If there are people
getting first dose then it shouldn't be that fuss to give second dose at place
but taking second dose of Corona vaccine has become nightmare for many.
How much time
second dose can be delayed from first vaccine?
One staff at Corona
vaccine Centre told us that second dose can be taken between 21 days to 45 days
from first dose.
So we should either
visit the far away only Centre to get second dose or wait until second dose is
permitted in near a centre.
Is Corona vaccine
second dose is injected at same arm?
Corona vaccine can be
taken on same arm or at different arm. Mostly, workers are giving second dose
jabs on the same arm.
Is
there any side effect of second dose of Corona vaccine?
Like first dose of
Corona vaccine, second dose also has side effects which may varied person to
person. The most common side effects are:
- Headache
- Body ache
- Nausea
- Pain in arm where dose is taken
- Fever
Some may experience all
or any of above symptoms.
Most of side effects
settle in one day or two.
I recommend you to take rest after getting Corona vaccine dose as it help
settling side effects soon.
I felt pain in my arm asides headache and body ache after getting second dose
of Corona vaccine after taking jab at the same spot. It took 24 hours to relieve me out of pain.
Why we need two
doses of Corona vaccine?
The first dose of Corona
vaccine starts producing antibodies in your body. It start spike protein
and develops immune system against Coronavirus. Your body start making defense
system after first dose but it still remain weak against virus. The second dose
is used to reinforce the protection system and effect of first dose. These two
doses of vaccines are recommended by all leading Corona vaccine researchers
after observation on people. The whole process of creating strong immune system
against Corona Virus takes 2 weeks after getting second dose.
Should we stop
wearing masks and un follow SOPs after getting second dose?
The answer is simple No.
Anyone should continue wearing masks and follow SOPs even after getting second
dose of vaccine. Some of reasons are here:
Most vaccine are up to
85% effective and we should take care to avoid the threat of remaining
20%.
We may be carriers of
Corona Virus now and can communicate virus to others.
The time and
effectiveness ratio of Corona vaccines immunity against virus is at testing
stage across the world. We shouldn't feel over safe after getting vaccine two
doses.
There are four types of
vaccines that are in use in Pakistan.
1.
Sinopharm:
It is a Chinese vaccine
that is provided free of cost after registering on 1166. It requires two doses
with an interval of 21 days. It's efficiency level is told 79%. According to
some reports Sinopharm vaccine may need third dose after displaying less immune
to covid 19 in UAE. The same pattern may be followed in Pakistan but its not in
discussion for now.
2. Oxford-AstraZeneca
It is Oxford based vaccine that is also free and in use after registration.
This vaccine again requires two doses with interval of 21 days. Its efficiency
level is 79%.
Note: The above two
vaccines are in use for healthcare workers and senior citizens for free after
registering on government’s helpline.
However, corona vaccine for common people is
also available now on very high charges in private sector.
3. Sputnik
It is a Russian vaccine
that is available on payment. It is available in a pack of two doses. Russian
vaccine Sputnik vaccine said to have 92% efficiency level. The vaccine will not
be sold in market but is administrated by private sector hospitals. The person
will require taking the appointment from hospital, made payment to take jab of
vaccine. One combine dose of Sputnik cost in Pakistan is around Rs 8,
499. The two doses are different in sputnik vaccine.
4.
Convedecia
It is China's vaccine
that is being offered on payment in private sector hospitals. The cost of one
injection of convedecia is Rs 4,225 set by DRAP and government of Pakistan.
Transparency International
Concerns on Prices of corona vaccine in Pakistan
Transparency
international has written to Prime Minister Pakistan on fixing such high price
of Corona vaccine in Pakistan.
After Drug Regulatory Authority Pakistan (DRAP) announces
high price of corona vaccines for common people in private sector, TIP has written a letter to PM Imran Khan to
review and cancel the policy of allowing private sector to import corona
vaccine. According to TIP, the announced corona vaccine prices for private
sector are 160% high than the market. The global set price of sputnik vaccine
is $10 which means two doses will be available at $20. Considering the price of
private vaccine in India and after evaluating currency rate difference, the
price of sputnik should be Rs 1500 per dose.
A Sneak Peak To My Corona Vaccine Second Dose
Experience in Pakistan
Earlier I shared my
experience of covid 19 vaccine first dose at General Hospital Lahore.
There also seemed a little mismanagement but it wasn't too worst like Corona
vaccine second dose experience.
At first dose, our
schedule as per sms was of Sunday at Children Hospital. On reaching the
hospital, we were told that the hospital administration has given Sunday off to
vaccine workers so we should revisit on Monday. Corona helpline also couldn't
help us by telling which Centers are open and which closed. We then decided to
try our luck on General Hospital and we got Corona vaccine first dose. The
staff and overall experience was good. I've also mention it my previous post.
Now come to the story of
second dose where we received sms right after 15 days of first dose and our
vaccine was scheduled on Sunday at General Hospital. As General hospital is far
from cantt and also our colleagues told us that we can get second dose from
Railway Hospital in cantt after showing sms and PIN Code.
Sunday was announced off and we take time from our hospital on Monday to visit
the nearest Corona vaccine Centre to get second dose. We reached there by 9 am.
A staff checked our PIN code, filled the form. Another staff took our vitals
and we reached at a long line of senior citizens getting first dose of vaccine.
At last it was our turn. The worker took out syringe and vaccine, when my
husband asked, 'Is Corona vaccine second dose is to be injected on the same
arm?'
'Yes, Corona vaccine
second dose can be given on same arm and same point.'
'But, we’re not
entertaining second dose. You should told it earlier. You should get up and
leave.’ He kept the syringe and vaccine back.
'What! It's not
mentioned anywhere at your Centre and also your staff checked our sms clearing mentioning
Second Dose.. We have reached here after waiting a long. If I didn't ask, then
you were going to give jabe of vaccine.'
'It’s our mistake but
sorry it’ll affect our record. You shouldn't waste our time. Please get up and
leave. '
And after arguing harshly
without use, we left Railway hospital and again decided to visit General
Hospital: the Centre that was mentioned on sms. On reaching there, after
parking car and come across the center, this notice welcomed us,
‘We’re not entertaining corona vaccine
second dose. For second dose of vaccine, visit Expo Centre. We were receiving
calls from office & home for delay. Expo Centre Lahore is one hour drive
from our home. We reached there and now at gate, we asked about availability of
second dose to save our time. Luckily, we were successful to get second dose jabe
of corona vaccine.